WEST HAVEN, Conn. – The New Haven field hockey team took to their home blue and gold turf this afternoon in an NE10 conference rematch against the Panthers of Adelphi. In their last matchup against the Panthers, it was a hard-fought battle leading into double overtime and an unfortunate season debut loss for the Chargers. However, New Haven was able to take this one home in shootouts.
Starting out strong on both ends, the Panthers of Adelphi were able to find the back of the net first against the Chargers. In the first five minutes of the game, Adelphi netted the opening goal of the match on a goal from Amanda Lee, off an assist from Emiline Biggin. It would not be until the third quarter when they found another goal off a penalty corner. On the insert Kylie Peregoy would sweep the ball to the corner, finding Bianca Bachisin for the tip in.
Trailing in the first quarter, the Chargers pushed the offensive. On a penalty corner for the Chargers, sophomore Sophia Ruh (Ocean City, N.J./Ocean City) would find the back of the net for her second goal of the season off of a pass from graduate Sophie Schreck (Madison, Conn./Daniel Hand). The game continued in back and forth play until the 20th minute, where sophomore Olivia Chase (Macungie, Pa./Emmaus) would beat an Adelphi defender, pushing her way into the circle for a straight shot. That shot aiming for the corner, would find the stick of sophomore Abby Nixon (Wrentham, Mass./King Phillip Regional), tipping in the Chargers second goal of the afternoon.
As time ran out on the regulated 60 minutes, the score would remain 2-2, entering overtime. The Chargers were able to accumulate four shots, two of which would land on goal and one penalty corner, however both teams could not find the game winner forcing a second overtime. The second overtime of the afternoon resulted in two shots total for the Chargers and two penalty corners, but without a goal the game would go to shootouts.
With graduate Keira Integlia (Branford, Conn./Branford) in net for the Chargers, the Chargers would go first in shootouts. The Chargers would have only one successful attempt, tying the Panthers, and forcing the shootouts to begin once again. Adelphi going first, Integlia applied pressure on Amanda Lee right away, forcing the ball away from the net until the clock ran out. Freshman Erin Smith (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South) was next up for the Chargers, leading goalkeeper Mirthe Karstens to her right, making a swift pull to the left, and was able to net the game winner.
Aside from lockdown defense in net throughout the penalty shots, Integlia made 19 saves on the afternoon against the Panthers offense, keeping her team in the running for the win on numerous plays.
The Chargers now improve to 8-7 on the season, and 8-2 within conference play. They will head back on the road to take on the Falcons of Bentley University, on Saturday, November 5th, with a start time of 6:00 p.m.
